"Keene, Carolyn - Nancy Drew 022 - The Clue in the Crumbling Wall" - читать интересную книгу автора (Keene Carolyn)

"Then your mystery involves a child?"
"Yes. A pretty little eight-year-old girl named
Joan Fenimore. She's been in trouble with the
law and will be in more, I'm afraid, unless we can
find her aunt. Nancy, have you ever heard of
Juliana Johnson?"
"She was a dancer, wasn't she?" Nancy asked.
"Yes. She disappeared ten years ago at the
height of her career."
"And she's Joan's aunt?"
"Yes. Juliana must be found within the next
three weeks or lose an inheritance that a friend
willed to her. If we can find her, surely she'll
help Joan and her mother and make a new way
of life for Joan."
"Three weeks!" Nancy repeated. "That means
I haven't a moment to lose!"
The lieutenant's grave face broke into a smile.
"Then you'll take the case?" she said. "I'm so
gladi" She glanced at her watch and rose quickly.
"I must go now. The rain has stopped. I was on
a call in this neighborhood and decided to drop
by on the chance you were at home. Could you
meet me at headquarters about three o'clock this
afternoon?"
"Certainly," Nancy replied.
"Fine! I'll tell you all about it then, and we'll
go see Joan and her mother. By the way," she
added when they reached the door, "do you know
Heath Castle, a big estate some miles outside of
town?"
"Yes, I do," Nancy said. "I've seen it from the
river. It's that spooky-looking place with those
stone towers and the high walls around it."
"Find out all you can about the place," Lieu-
tenant Masters said. "It's Juliana's inheritance.
And thank you. Nancy. Little Joan really needs
your help!"
After the policewoman had left. Nancy went
to the kitchen and told Hannah about the mys-
tery.
"Now you're happy!" the kindly, middle-aged
woman said fondly. "You have a new easel I just
hope it won't be dangerous." Mrs. Gruen had
been with the family since the death of Mrs. Drew
when Nancy was three years old. The warm-
hearted housekeeper had always been like a
mother to the girl.
"What do you know about Heath Castle?"
Nancy asked her.